Commission Will Address Rising Number of Alzheimer's Cases

Projections of a steady increase in the number of New Jersey residents with Alzheimer’s disease may make formation of a new state commission more attention-worthy than usual.

The newly appointed members of the Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission could play an important role in the future as officials expect the number of New Jersey residents with Alzheimer’s to increase from 150,000 in 2010 to 170,000 in 2025, with about 80 percent of the new patients over the age of 85.

In addition, diagnoses of the disease are occurring at a younger age, increasing the need for services to aid residents who are not yet disabled.

“I think what’s critical is that we position the state to be able to respond to the wave that we know is coming as the baby boomers are aging,” said Lawrence B. Brooks, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Greater New Jersey Chapter. Brooks is one of nine members recently appointed by Gov. Chris Christie to the commission, which was created by legislation in 2011.

Brooks said that if caregivers are included, the disease directly affects more than 500,000 residents.

“We anticipate that those numbers are going to increase exponentially,” he said.

Read more at NJSpotlight.com

NJ Spotlight is an issue-driven news website that provides critical insight to New Jersey’s communities and businesses. It is non-partisan, independent, policy-centered and community-minded.